Swimming pad



F- J. SMITH SWIMMING PAD April 26 1927.

Filed Feb. 25, 1926 FIGURE 1 FIGURE 4 FIGURE a FIGURE 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

u rr srrss OFFE CE PATEN SWIMMING PAD.

Application filed February It is one object of the present invention to provide a device of the character indicated that can be easily grasped in the hand and that is automatically manipulated when in use to present a. broad surface to the water whereby the full effect of the swimmers stroke is utilized for propelling him forward.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the character indicated that will readily and automatically collapse when moved forwardly through the water by the swimmer and flatten out when moved rearwardly, and that is provided with means for effectually maintaining the collapsible portions in operative positions.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a means whereby the device may be secured to the users wrist when not in use in such a manner as to permit thetfree use of the hand.

It is also an object of the invention to pro.- vide a device of the character indicated that may be quickly and easily put into an operative position and quickly and easily released therefrom, and one that will be simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and highly efficient in its practical application.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a plan View of the devicee1nhodying one form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the same.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the device.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I show at 1 a flat plate having the general size and conformation of the horizontal projection of closed fist, the wrist portion of the plate being indicated at 2. On the wrist portion 2 is mounted a strap or any suitable loop as at 3 of suflicient size to pass over the hand of the user and engage his wrist.

On the plate 1 and preferably substantially parallel with the loop 3, is mounted a grip 4. This grip a stands up a distance on plate 1 and has its upper portion curved forwardly and under a distance as at 5 so that the fingers of the user will curve naturally thereover and grasp the grip parts securely. One end of the grip is undercut as at 6 to permit the insertion of the thumb therethrough.

Mounted on each end of plate 1 and on the under side thereof and at right angles thereto, is abracket 7, the two brackets hav- 23, 1926. Serial No. 90,059.

ing aflat bar 8 mounted thereon as shown.

This bar 8 is preferably made substantially wide as shown.

At 9 I show a pin mounted in brackets 7 and close to plate 1 and lying along the median line thereof. On the pin 9 are hinged as at 10 a pair of plates 11 of any suitable size and shape but preferably extending a distance beyond the edges of plate 1.

When the device is mounted upon the hand as shown in Figure 1, where a hand is indicated in dotted lines at 12, with the fingers and thumb grasping the grip at and the loop 3 passing around the wrist, it is ready for use. When the hand is moved forwardly through the water the leave-s or plates 11 swing into the position shown in dotted lines at 13 so that no material amount of resistance to the water is oi iered by them. When, however, the hand is turned over and the power stroke begun the leaves 11 are swung back into the position shown in solid lines whereby the combined front faces of the two are presented to the water and the full effect of the users muscular effort utilized in propelling him forward.

If the swimmer desires the full use of his hands for grasping a support, for instance, such as a rope or the edge of a float or other object, he has merely to release his hold on the grip 1. The strap 3 will hold the device in readiness for use when desired. The bar 8 being mounted fixedly on the plate 1 provides a stop for the two leaves 11 to insure their opening in the manner and at the time desired.

Slots 1 1 are formed in the plates 11 to |permit them to swing freely on their hinges and yet permit the brackets 7 to be mounted on the supporting element or plate 1.

It is to bev understood, of course, that while I have herein shown and described but one specific embodiment of the invention, changes in form, construction and method of operation may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. A device of the character indicated comprising a supporting element, a hand grip mounted thereon in parallel relation to the plane thereof, a pair of plates hingedly mounted on said supporting element and movable into engagement therewith on their rear surfaces, and stop means carried by said element. and positioned forwardly of said plates for engagement With their front surfaces.

2. A device of the character indicated, comprising a supporting element having the general size and contour of the horizontal projection of a closed fist, a hand grip,

mounted on one side thereof and transverse- 1y thereof, a Wrist engaging loop mountedthereon rearwardly of said grip and on the same side of said element, and a pair of plates hingedl-y mounted on the other side of said element to engage the same When extended, and means for limiting the forward swinging of said plates.

3. A device of the character described comprising a supporting plate, a hand grip mounted thereon, a pair of spaced brackets mounted thereon on the sideopposite to said hand grip and in parallel relation to said grip, a pin mounted in said brackets adjacent to said supporting plate and along the median line thereof, and a pair of plates hingedly mounted 011 said pin.

FRANKLIN J. SMITH 

